| name | AC-6(4)_separate-processing-domains |
| description | Provide separate processing domains to enable finer-grained allocation of user privileges. |
| category | authorization |
| version | 5.2.0 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["nist","sp800-53","rev5","ac-6-4","ac","enhancement"] |
| tech_stack | ["aws","azure","gcp","linux","windows"] |
| cwe_ids | ["CWE-284"] |
| chains_with | ["AC-4","SC-2","SC-3","SC-30","SC-32","SC-39"] |
| prerequisites | ["AC-6"] |
| severity_boost | {"AC-4":"Chain with AC-4 for comprehensive security coverage","SC-2":"Chain with SC-2 for comprehensive security coverage","SC-3":"Chain with SC-3 for comprehensive security coverage"} |
AC-6(4) Separate Processing Domains
Enhancement of: AC-6
High-Level Description
Family: Access Control (AC)
Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
Providing separate processing domains for finer-grained allocation of user privileges includes using virtualization techniques to permit additional user privileges within a virtual machine while restricting privileges to other virtual machines or to the underlying physical machine, implementing separate physical domains, and employing hardware or software domain separation mechanisms.
What to Check
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for AC-6(4) implementation details. Verify the organization has documented how this control is satisfied.
Step 2: Validate Implementation
# For cloud environments, use cloud-audit-mcp tools
# For on-premises, review system configurations directly
# Example: Check if account management policies exist
grep -r "account.management\|access.control" /etc/security/ 2>/dev/null
Step 3: Test Operating Effectiveness
Verify the control is actively functioning, not just documented. Check logs, configurations, and operational evidence.
Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Usage |
|---|
| cloud-audit-mcp | Check IAM policies and access controls | cloud_audit_iam_policies |
| hackbrowser-mcp | Test web application access controls | browser_auth_test |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Provide separate processing domains to enable finer-grained allocation of user privileges.
Implementation Guidance
Providing separate processing domains for finer-grained allocation of user privileges includes using virtualization techniques to permit additional user privileges within a virtual machine while restricting privileges to other virtual machines or to the underlying physical machine, implementing separate physical domains, and employing hardware or software domain separation mechanisms.
